All along I thought I am painting in a free, relax manner.
Until I got hold of 3 watercolor books. A gift from my bf.
Wonderful books pack with tips and learning. The artists paint freely in their own style.
I’m eager to learn new techniques.
I started the Atmospheric Watercolours by Jean Haines.
Her paintings are loose, wild, vibrant and screaming with freedom.
I think back on how I paint–
It’s in a manner that I can feel the brush on paper, my hands gripping on the brush handle. I paint like that.
Jean Haines holds the brush in a relax grip.
The way she applies the paint on paper feels like a gentle whisper.
All throughout the first exercise she reminds to just relax and have fun.
I feel a fear of not being able to follow while reading the instructions.
Then as I apply the first gentle stroke trying not to grip the brush too hard–
I quickly read the next step and until I am in the midway that I feel this is not turning out into a loose painting.
I find myself working back on the spots that I feel needs a retouch.
This is a wet into wet technique and it kind of freaks me where all those colors are going.
I do that kind of technique in an abstract way but not in a way that hints something concrete.
Then I inhale and just let go. I keep holding the brush in a loose grip.
Loading more water and fresh paint. Switching brushes.
Tilting the sketchbook. Allowing the colors to merge.
It creates a pool of mud.
I work quickly. I let it be.
Today I learn to finally really enjoy watercolor painting.
I learn what it means to truly paint with abandonment.
To be in the moment.
To watch and be amazed.
To be patient.
To keep learning.
To practice, practice, practice.
To give up the need to correct mistakes and make it good.
And hopefully as I progress I will paint paintings that will sing with my music!